Sign framework



Feb. 22, 1966 R R S 3,235,989

SIGN FRAMEWORK Filed Dec. 12, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I, 36 33 30 F lg. H27 1 INVENTOR 4 5 Jackson R. Brooks BY WHITEHEAD, VOGL a LOWE PE MZATTORNEYS Feb. 22, 1966 J R. BROOKS 3,235,989

SIGN FRAMEWORK Filed Dec. 12, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 4O 42 IN VENTOR 4244 4| Jackson R. Brooks BY WHITEHEAD, VOGL a LOWE 5 Mz/Q ATTORNEYS Fig.7

Feb. 22, 19 66 J. R. BROQKS SIGN FRAMEWORK Filed Dec. 12, 1962 v 2/ Q-r/$4 4M 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Jackson R. Brooks BY WHITEHEAD, VOGLGLOWE ATTORNEYS Feb. 22, 1966 J: R. BROOKS 3,235,989

SIGN FRAMEWORK Filed Dec. 12, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Jackson R. Brooks BY WHITEHEAD,VOGL 8| LOWE PER ZMZ 4 I ATTORNEYS Feb.22, 1966 J. R. BROOKS 3,235,989

SIGN FRAMEWORK Filed Dec. 12, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Jackson R.Brooks BY WHITEHEAD, VOGL GLOWE PER ATTORNEYS United States Patent ice3,235,989 SIGN FRAMEWORK Jackson R. Brooks, Fort Collins, Colo.,assignor to Excellart Extrusion Company, Fort Collins, Colo., apartnership composed of Jackson R. Brooks and Chester V.

Brooks Filed Dec. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 244,090 4 Claims. (Cl. 40-430) Thisinvention relates to signs of the class which may be designated asinternally-lighted signs, and more particularly to the structuralframework therefor, a primary object of the invention being to provide anovel and improved structural framework for an internally lighted typeof sign and to thereby produce also, an improved sign structure.Accordingly, the invention will be hereinafter referred to as aframework for an internally lighted sign, and simply as a signframework.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedframework for an internally lighted sign consisting of a simple,structurally-rigid, array of easily interconnected components which arefunctionally formed to facilitate their manufacture as from metalextrusions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved signframework having, as its primary components, extruded metal members,with each member being formed in a simplified, functional manner so asto require an absolute minimum number of individual components in afinished sign, and with each component being of minimum weight andminimum bulk.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved signframework of a simple, rigid basic construction which is easily adaptedto be used with many various types of sign facings and is especiallyadapted to be used with preformed dished types plastic facings ofmaterial such as Plexiglas.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved signframework which may be formed as a light-weight unit that is especiallyadapted to be used with modular facing sections of various plasticmaterials.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedframework for internally lighted signs which forms a neat, compactedging around the sign, yet with ample wire-way space therein toaccommodate wiring and ballast without cramping and, permits easy accessto the interior of the sign for maintenance and repair through theprovision of easily removable facing retainers and without the need ofremoving end portions of the framework itself.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a novel and improvedsign framework an improved, simplified and versatile arrangement offacing retainers which are especially adapted to be self-draining andthereby protect the interior of the sign against moisture as duringsevere rain storm conditions.

Yet other objects of the invention are to provide a novel and improvedframework for internally lighted signs which is a neat-appearing,sturdy, rugged, and durable unit that may be manufactured at very lowcost and with a minimum of special shop equipment and facilities, as amass production item and also as custom produced of individualizedunits.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, all of which more fullyhereinafter appear, my invention comprises certain constructions,combinations, and arrangements of parts and elements as hereinafterdescribed, defined in the appended claims and illustrated in preferredembodiments in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a sign constructed according to thepresent invention, illustrating the sign 3,235,989 Patented Feb. 22,1966 as being hung underneath a beam, and with the sign frame beingenclosed by dished, offset faces.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational View of a different style and type ofsign, also constructed according to the present invention, illustratingthe sign as being cantilevered from a post and with the sign frame beingenclosed by flat, sheet-type faces.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a third sign, of yet another stylealso constructed according to the present invention, illustrating thesign as being hung vertically, as on brackets outstanding from a walland With the sign face area being enclosed by a plurality of modular,dishformed offset faces.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective sectional view of a portion of the signillustrated at FIG. 1, as from the indicated line 4-4 at FIG. 1 but onan enlarged scale.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional detail of a portion of the signillustrated at FIGS. 1 and 4, as taken from the indicated line 55 atFIG. 4 but on a further enlarged scale, and illustrating surfaceconfigurations on the frame members not shown at FIGS. 1 and 4 becauseof the small scale at which the drawings were made.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, isometric view of a corner portion of thesign illustrated at FIGS. 1 and 4, but on an enlarged scale, with thefacing members being broken away to show constructions otherwise hiddenfrom view, and also illustrating surface configurations not shown atFIGS. 1 and 4.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary, perspective exploded view, on a furtherenlarged scale, of certain elements and portions of other elements whichare interengaged to make up the sign frame shown at FIGS. 1 and 4.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional, cabinet view of a portion of an improved typeof a facing carrier, which constitutes an element in the signconstruction illustrated in the FIGS. 17, the view being illustrated ona greatly enlarged scale and with a fragment of a facing memberillustrated as being set therein.

FIGURES 9 and 10 are similar to FIG. 8 but illustrating alternateconstructions of facing carriers for different types of facings, FIG. 9being illustrated with a fragment of a corrugated type of casing andFIG. 10 being illustrated as the fragment of a double-wall type 01facing.

FIGURE 11 is a transverse, sectional elevational view of the alternatestyle of sign construction illustrated at FIG. 2, as taken from theindicated line 1111 at FIG. 2 but on an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view substantially of a portion of the showingat FIG. 11, as taken from the indicated line 1212 at FIG. 2 but on afurther enlarged scale and also illustrating surface configurations notshown in FIGS. 2 and 11 because of their small scale.

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary isometric View of a corner position of thesign illustrated at FIGS. 2 and 11 as taken substantially from theindicated arrow 13 at FIG. 11 but on an enlarged scale, with the facingmembers being removed and with portions of the frame members beingbroken away to show constructions otherwise hidden from view, and alsoillustrating surface configurations not shown in FIGS. 2 and 11.

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary, perspective exploded view on a furtherenlarged scale, of certain elements and portions of other elements whichare interengaged to make up the sign frame shown at FIGS. 2 and 11.

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the sign illustrated atFIG. 3, as taken from the indicated line 15-15 at FIG. 3 but on anenlarged scale.

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary isometric view of portions of elementsillustrated at FIG. 15, as viewed from the indicated arrow 16 at FIG. 15but on a further enlarged scale.

A large number of advertising signs are manufactured which may becharacterized or designated as internally lighted signs, in contrastother types of signs such as billboards. These internally lighted signsare manifestly more complex in their construction than ordinary signs,for they usually include a pair of opposing display faces mounted withina rectangular framework wherein an electrical lighting system islocated. The framework will include necessary structural supportingmembers to rigidify the sign and other members and arrangements ofmembers to hold and support the lighting means within the sign. Thedisplay \faces cannot be relied upon for any structural purpose. Theyare commonly formed of glass or translucent plastic materials such asPlexiglas with lettering, figures, and symbols on the faces varying inmany ways and patterns. In large signs there is difficulty in the faceseven supporting themselves.

This is especially true of Plexiglas faces. Yet since this material andother acrylite-type plastics have desirable qualities such aslight-weight, moldability and luminescence, the material is in demand assign faces. Because of its structural weakness, it is not even self-Supporting on large signs, and thus it is often mounted on such signs ina modular fashion with mullion members across the sign face to hold theindividual modular face members in position.

In further detail, conventional types of internally lighted signs areusually formed upon a rectangular lframework shaped by structuralmembers and sheet metal sections into a suitable channel form to providespace for holding the wiring and ballast for the lights therein. Variousretaining strips are affixed to each side of the framework to hold theedges of the sign faces.

The present invention was conceived and developed to meet the need foran improved framework for signs of this class since certaindisadvantages were inherent in conventional types of sign frames. Suchdisadvantages were primarily the weight, cost, and inconvenience ofaccess for maintenance of the sign itself. The present invention takesadvantage of modern and comparatively recent developments in theformation of extruded metal members and particularly of light-weightextruded aluminum sections. It was discovered that by using extrudedaluminum sections for selected members of the framework, a signframework structure could be devised which would combine severalnecessary functions of good sign construction into a single member andrequire an absolute minimum number of individual components. At the sametime, such a construction will include ample channel space within theframework to contain wiring, light receptacles and ballast which isnecessary where neon and fluorescent lights are used. The finalstructure is of utmost simplicity of design which combines not only aminimum number of individual components but also forms a neat-appearing,rigid, strong, and light-weight unit.

Referring to the drawing and specifically to the sign constructionillustrated at FIGS. 1 and 4-7, the sign therein depicted is shapedtypically as a narrow, box-like unit formed upon the improved frame 21with a display face 22 being mounted at each side of the frame. Thissign may be mounted for display in any suitable manner, such as at FIG.1 where the sign 20 is suspended from an overhead beam B. It is attachedthereto as by clip angles 23. To complete the mounting installation, apower line 24 extends from any suitable source and into the interior ofthe sign through a suitable opening 25, as at one end of the sign.

The rectangular frame 21 is formed by beam-like members about theperiphery of the sign, including a top member 26, an opposing bottommember 27 and upright end members 28. Consonant with the use of extrudedmetal components in this sign, the frame members 26, 27, and 28 aresubstantially identical in cross section with each member being of aselected length and having its ends mitered as at 29 to provideneat-appearing, closefitting corners which are interconnected as in themanner hereinafter described.

The primary component of each frame member is an extruded, elongatedbase channel 30 which is shaped as a comparatively wide web plate 31having an upstanding flange 32 at each side thereof. The web plates 31of the frame members form the outer faces of the top, bottom, and endsof the sign frame 21, while the flanges 32 are directed inwardly todefine in combination with the web plates and other elements,hereinafter described, a conduit-like wire-way space 33 within and aboutthe sign frame which is ample to retain wiring, ballast, not shown, andbase receptacles tfOI lamps L.

With the use of an extruded construction, all components of each basechannel member will extend longitudinally with respect to the member andwill lie in spaced parallelism with a longitudinal axis of the member.Also, each flange 32, upstanding from the web plate 31, lies in spacedparallelism with and in opposition to the other. Each flange is formedwith an intermediate inwardly-extending overhang 34, aninwardly-extending shelf 35 at its edge opposite the plate 31, and anarrow ledge 36 at its outer side formed by inwardly offsetting theflangewall portion above the intermediate overhang opposite the plate31. The surface of each overhang, shelf and ledge also lies in spacedparallelism with the surfaces of the web plate 31. The spacing betweenthe plate 31 and. the overhangs 34 is used to receive and hold endlocking, corner brackets 37, the shelves 35 are used to support an.interior cover 38 which encloses the wireway space 33- and the ledges 36are used to position and support the: facing retainers 39, all ashereinafter further described.v

To complete the base channel 30, a series of longitudi-- nally disposedrectangular-sectioned ridges or flutes 40 may be formed at each outersurface of the channel, that is, on the plate 31 and the flanges 32,with the flutes 40 being preferably adjacent to the channel corners asillus-- trated. These flutes 40 are not only decorative, but they'function as wear surfaces and as gripping surfaces if necessary.

With the arrangement above described, each base chan-- nel issufficiently rigid in and of itself to form the pri-' mary component ofeach frame member 26, 27 and 28,. and the only preparation necessary forthe forming of a sign frame is to miter, as at 29, the corners of theselected base channels forming the frame members as hereinbeforementioned. When properly mitered, each frame member abuts against itsadjacent members in perpendicular relationship, and the members are heldtogether by the corner brackets 37. Each corner bracket is acomparatively heavy, channel-shaped member having two sets, or legs, ofinterconnected components at right angles to each other. This includesflat outer plates 41 and 41 and flanges 42 and 42' at each side of therespective outer plates. The width of the plates 41 and 41' and theheight of the flanges 42 and 42', from the respective plates, is such asto provide a snug sliding fit, or even a light press fit, of each leg ofthe bracket into an end of a base channel 30, with the outer plate 41,or 41', lying against the channel web plate 31 and the flanges 42, or42, lying against the flanges 32 and also fitting tightly against theundersurface of the overhangs 34 as in the manner clearly illustrated atFIGS. 5 and 6.

To permanently secure the frame members in place on the corner brackets37, registering sets of holes 43 are drilled into the plate portions ofthe members, as illustrated at FIG. 7, to receive assembly bolts 44. Itis to be noted that the bolts 44 at each corner are located at theheaviest and strongest part of the frame because of the positioning ofthe corner brackets therein. It follows that means for securing andsupporting the sign itself, such as the clip angles 23, can beconveniently secured to the sign by these bolts 44 and that no otherattachment means will be necessary to hold the sign except in the caseof unusually large signs.

The interior cover 38 is a longitudinally extended member lying upon theshelves 35 of the base channel 30 to which it is attached. It ispreferably hat-shaped in section with the components forming the coverlying in spaced parallelism with a longitudinal axis thereof. This cover38 is preferably formed of a folded strip of sheet metal, and includesan outwardly turned base flange 45 at each edge, a sidewall 46upstanding from the inner edge of each base flange and a raised lidsection 47 extending between the sidewalls. To form a continuation ofthe base channel 30 whereon a cover 38 is mounted, its ends may besuitably mitered as at 48, FIG. 7. To mount this cover 38 upon the basechannel 30, the

base flanges 45 are set in position upon the shelves 35 of the basechannel and secured thereto by an array of screws 49, which arepreferably of a self-tapping type to speed assembly of the sign unit.

Actually, this hat-section cover 38 is not essential except at thosemembers of the frame 21 which hold wire, ballast, and light receptacles.However, it is preferred on -all members in large signs since the cover38 formed as above described will materially rigidify and increase thestrength of each of the members forming the sign frame.

At those sections where light receptacles are to be positioned to holdlights properly located, receptacle-retaining orifices 50 may beprovided in the lid 47 of the cover, as in the manner illustrated atFIG. 6.

The facing retainers 39 may be described as being of a ZF shape, and aspositioned in the drawing of a lazy 'ZF shape. These retainers areextruded members with all components lying in spaced parallelism with alongitudinal axis thereof. A typical retainer member includes,

'referring to the position illustrated at FIGS. 5 and 8, a

' an outer wall 54 which is at the outer edge of the floor section.

A pair of retainers 39 are needed for each frame member of the sign, andeach is affixed in position upon the ledge of its base channel byconnecting screws 55, preferably of the self-tapping type. The ends ofthe retainers are miter cut as at 29a, FIG. 7, to fit the mitered ends29 V of the channels 30.

The spacing between the walls 53 and 54 of a retainer 39 is such as toloosely receive the edge of a facing sheet '22 and when using plasticfacings, this loose fit is essential because of the variations ofthickness of the material,

and especially when it is molded to form dish-shaped, offset faces suchas illustrated at FIG. 1. Also, a loose fit of the facing in theretainers may be desirable to allow for expansion and contraction of theplastic material.

This introduces a problem of water control to prevent the interior ofthe sign from becoming wet as during a rainstorm. For this reason, thewalls 53 and 54 are formed in a unique manner with the inner wall 53being 'higher than the outer wall 54 as indicated at h at FIG.

8. Conventional weep holes 56 are also drilled in the floor 52 of theretainer on the bottom frame member 27 to permit water to drain from thechannel spacing be- "tween the Walls 53 and 54. However, whenever a signis exposed to heavy wind and rainstorms, the amount of water which maybe washed down 21 facing will far exceed the capacity of any group ofweep holes. Ingress of water into the sign is then prevented by theraised inner wall, for water will flow over the edge of the outer wall53 to drop from the sign. With this arrangement, it is immediatelyapparent that this extruded sign framework construction is inherentlywaterproof, and that the only places necessary to seal the unit will beat the mitered corners of the frame members. This is easily accomplishedwith small amounts of waterproofing material such as Glyptal which maybe applied to the mitered corners 29 as at 57 at FIG. 6.

To finish this retainer unit 39, a fluted facade 58 may be formed at theouter sides of the mounting flange 51 and the outer side of the wall 54as in the manner best illustrated at FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. Thisornamentation has no particular function and is entirely optional.

Since several types of sign facing materials exist, re quiring severalalternate types of facing retainers, such as those illustrated at FIGS.9 and 10, the modified retainer 39', illustrated at FIG. 9, is formedsubstantially the same as that hereinbefore described but with a widerfloor section 52' to space the inner wall 53 and outer wall 54 furtherapart. This retainer is especially adapted for the use of dimpled orcorrugated facings such as facing 59. The modified retainer 39",illustrated at FIG. 10, is also similar to that hereinbefore describedbut with an even wider floor section 52" to space the inner walls 53"and outer wall 54" still further apart. This type of retainer isespecially adapted for the use of deeply corrugated or configuratedfacings such as 60.

The alternate sign 20a illustrated at FIGS. 2 and 11-14 is of a moresimplified construction which is especially adapted for smaller signsthan the construction heretofore described. The frame 61 is illustratedas supporting a flat type facing 62; however, this is for illustrativepurposes only for any type or style of facing may be used especiallywith the several styles of retainers 39 availabl as hereinbeforedescribed.

This sign 20a is illustrated as being mounted upon a post P to outstandor be cantilevered therefrom, and it may be aflixed to the post by clipangles 63 at its top and bottom corners. The sign interior is alsolighted, and the power supply line 64 may extend into the sign at anyconvenient position as illustrated.

The frame 61 includes a top member 66, a bottom member 67, and endmembers 68 substantially as hereinbefore described, and with the ends ofthe members being joined at the sign corners with neat fitting mitrejoints 69 as illustrated.

The primary component of each frame member is a base channel 70 which issimilar to, but more simple in design than the design of the channel 30hereinbefore described. It includes only a web plate 71 having flatflnages 72 at each side thereof and inturned shelves 75 at the outeredges of the flanges which are opposing the web plate 71. A modifiedcorner bracket 77, hereinafter described, holds these channel sections70 together; however, the same hat-section cover 38 and the same facingretainer strips 39, hereinbefore described, are used in the assembly ofthis unit. Also, in view of the desire for simplicity, this base channel70 is formed without flutes or like surface ornamentation.

As in the unit hereinbefore described, the corner bracket 77 comprisestwo similar legs formed by a pair of plates 81 and 81', and a pair offlanges 82 and 82 on each respective plate. Also, each flange preferablyincludes an inturned edge 82a, and 82a respectively, FIG. 14, toprovidefor a better fit of the bracket leg into an end of a channelsection 70. When fitted, as illustrated at FIG. 13, the plates 81, or81', lie against the channel web plate 71, and the flanges 82, or 82',lie against the flanges 72 with the inturned edges 82a, or 82a,contacting the undersurface of the inturned shelves 75. To secure thebracket in place, registering drill holes 43 are drilled into the webplates 71 and the faces 81 as illustrated at FIG. 14, to receiveassembly bolts 44 as illustrated at FIGS. 12 and 13.

Assembly of this sign frame is manifest from the drawing and involvesfirst, locking the members into position on the corner brackets. Thenext step involves placing the hat-section covers 38 upon the inturnedflange shelves 75 of the members and securing them thereon 7 as bymounting screws 49. The final operation is to place facing retainerstrips 39 about the sign and bolting them in place as with mountingscrews 55. It is to be noted that the fitting of the retainer strips 39upon the sides of the channel 70 must be done with more care than thefitting of the strips upon the channel 30 as hereinbefore describedbecause on channel 70, there is no ledge at the outer side of thechannel to facilitate placing the strips properly.

The modified sign 20b illustrated at FIGS. 3, 15, and 16 is formed upona frame 61b similar to the simplified frame 61 hereinbefore described;however, this sign frame includes a series of dividers or mullions 90which are adapted to hold a group of modular sized facings 9.2 in place.This frame 61b is illustrated as being mounted in a vertical position asupon brackets 91 outstanding from a wall W with a power supply 94extending through the wall and into the sign.

The frame members of the sign 20b are illustrated as being channels 70although the base channels 30 could also be used, for the mullions 90are mounted upon the facing retainers 39 at appropriate spacings to formthe regular series of openings for the modular facings.

Each mullion strip '90 is roughly in the form of a T-shaped member witheach side of the flange of the T being formed by a pair of walls, aninner wall 93 and outer wall 94, FIG. 16, and with the spacing betweenthese walls corresponding with the spacing between the retainer stripwalls 53 and 54 respectively. It is to be noted that each inner wall 93extends beyond its outer wall 94 in the same manner as does the innerwall 53 extend above the outer wall 54 of the retainer strips,

and in this way an automatic water-draining arrangement is set up tofunction whenever a mullion strip forms the base of a modular facingsection as in the manner illustrated at FIGS. 3 and 15.

The leg 95 of this T-shaped mullion 29 extends inwardly into the body ofthe sign as illustrated at FIGS. 15 and 16 to serve as a reinforcingmember and as a connective means for holding the mullion 90 in place.The mounting of this mullion may be accomplished in various differentways, one mode thereof being illustrated :at FIG. 16 where a mountingpost 96 upstands from a flange shelf 75 to overhang the floor of theretainer strip and to extend a short distance'a-bove the inner Wall 53.This post includes suitable side-flanges 97 at its base which :areconveniently secured to the shelf 75 as by screws 98. The leg 95 of themullion extends between a slot 99 in this mounting post and suitableregistered holes are drilled through the sides of the post and the leg95 to receive a rivet 100. It is to be noted that the fitting of an endof the mullion upon the edge of the wall members 53 and 554 of theretainer strip 39 involves shaping of one of the members, for thedifference in the height of the members prevents the fitting .of asquare-cut end of the mullion. Therefore, a notch 101 or an equivalentcut to accomplish fitting of an end of the mullion against the edges ofthe retainer strip will be necessary. Also the flange 45 of hat section38 is suitably notched as at 102 to provide clearance for the base ofthe post 96.

It is apparent that many variations of sign construction can be devisedby use and assembly of the extruded components as herein described. Forexample, the description relates ,to the assembly of rectangular signs;however, through modification of the corner brackets 37 or 77, a sign ofa different polygonal shape can be easily built. Therefore, while I havedescribed my improved sign frame construction in considerable detail, itis obvious that others skilled in the art can devise and build alternateand equivalent constructions which are nevertheless within the spiritand scope of my invention. Hence, I desire that my protection belimited, not by the constructions herein illustrated and described, butonly by the proper scope of the ppended claims.

I claim:

1. In an internally lighted sign having a pair of spaced aparttranslucent display faces with illuminating means disposed therebetweenand electrical means energizable to operate said illuminating means totransmit light through said display faces, the improvement comprising:

spaced parallel upper and lower frame members respectively defining theupper and lower edges of said sign;

spaced parallel side frame members extending between said upper andlower frame members and thus defining the side edges of said sign;

each of said frame members having its opposed end edges mitered topermit all of said frame members to be assembled into a polygonalconfiguration having corners Where two mitered end edges abut oneanother; and

corner bracket means at each of said corners to interconnect theangularly disposed frame members whose end edges define said corners;each of said frame members including an elongated integrally formedchannel member and elongated integrally formed display face retainingmeans removably secured to said channel member;

each of said channel members including a web plate extendingtransversely between said spaced apart display faces and beingsubstantially perpendicular to the plane of said display faces;

flange means projecting perpendicularly from the side edges of said webplate and thus being substantially parallel to the plane of said displayfaces;

each of said flange means including an inwardly extending web projectinglaterally therefrom toward the opposite flange means;

said webs being substantially parallel to and spaced away from said webplate to thus define a slot into which said'corner bracket meansextends; 4

said face retaining means including a flat portion having a first flangeprojecting perpendicularly downward from one side edge thereof, a secondflange projecting perpendicularly upward from the opposite side edgethereof and a third flange projecting perpendicularly upward therefromin spaced parallel relation to said second flange; 4 I

said second and third flanges defining therebetween a recess whichreceives and retains an edge of one of said display faces; said firstflange being juxtaposed to and iemovably secured tothe outer surface ofsaid flange means;

said corner bracket means each including a pair of perpendicularlyinterconnected legs, each of which has a width substantially equal tothe distance between said flange means and a height substantially equalto the distance between said webs and said Web plate; said cornerbracket means thus having one leg thereof insertable in its defined slotin one channel member and having its other leg insertable in its definedslot in the angularly disposed channel member which forms a corner withsaid one channel member;

one of said corner bracket means having its legs thus inserted at eachof said corners whereby all of said frame members are thusinterconnected and assembled into said polygonal configuration.

2. The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein said flange means eachfurther includes an inwardly extending ledge in spaced parallel relationabove said Web thereon and wherein said improvement further includesenclosing member means spanning each of said channel members and seatingupon said ledges extending from opposite sides of each channel member,said enclosing member means serving to retain said electrical means andto support said illuminating means.

3. The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein said face retaining meansthird flanges are higher than said face retaining means second flangesto thus prevent any water flow across said display faces from enteringinto the interior of said sign.

4. The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein each of said flange meansfurther includes a shoulder means extending continuously therealong andwherein said first flange means lower edge rests upon said shouldermeans.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Himrnel 18936FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain.

References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,260,74410/1941 Ganoung.

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

15 LAWRENCE CHARLES, JEROME SCHNALL,

Examiners.

1. IN AN INTERNALLY LIGHTED SIGN HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED APARTTRANSLUCENT DISPLAY FACES WITH ILLUMINATING MEANS DISPOSED THEREBETWEENAND ELECTRICAL MEANS ENERGIZABLE TO OPERATE SAID ILLUMINATING MEANS TOTRANSMIT LIGHT THROUGH SAID DISPLAY FACES, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING:SPACED PARALLEL UPPER AND LOWER FRAME MEMBERS RESPECTIVELY DEFINING THEUPPER AND LOWER EDGES OF SAID SIGN; SPACED PARALLEL SIDE FRAME MEMBERSEXTENDING BETWEEN SAID UPPER AND LOWER FRAME MEMBERS AND THUS DEFININGTHE SIDE EDGES OF SAID SIGN; EACH OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS HAVING ITSOPPOSED END EDGES MITERED TO PERMIT ALL OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS TO BEASSEMBLED INTO A POLYGONAL CONFIGURATION HAVING CORNERS WHERE TWOMITERED END EDGES ABUT ONE ANOTHER; AND CORNER BRACKET MEANS AT EACH OFSAID CORNERS TO INTERCONNECT THE ANGULARLY DISPOSED FRAME MEMBERS WHOSEEND EDGES DEFINE SAID CORNERS; EACH OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS INCLUDING ANELONGATED INTEGRALLY FORMED CHANNEL MEMBER AND ELONGATED INTEGRALLYFORMED DISPLAY FACE RETAINING MEANS REMOVABLY SECURED TO SAID CHANNELMEMBER; EACH OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS INCLUDING A WEB PLATE EXTENDINGTRANSVERSELY BETWEEN SAID SPACED APART DISPLAY FACES AND BEINGSUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE PLANE OF SAID DISPLAY FACES; FLANGEMEANS PROJECTING PERPENDICULARLY FROM THE SIDE EDGES OF SAID WEB PLATEAND THUS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE PLANE OF SAID DISPLAYFACES; EACH OF SAID FLANGE MEANS INCLUDING AN INWARDLY EXTENDING WEBPROJECTING LATERALLY THEREFROM TOWARD THE OPPOSITE FLANGE MEANS; SAIDWEBS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO AND SPACED AWAY FROM SAID WEB PLATETO THUS DEFINE A SLOT INTO WHICH SAID CORNER BRACKET MEANS EXTENDS; SAIDFACE RETAINING MEANS INCLUDING A FLAT PORTION HAVING A FIRST FLANGEPROJECTING PERPENDICULARLY DOWNWARD FROM ONE SIDE EDGE THEREOF, A SECONDFLANGE PROJECTING PERPENDICULARLY UPWARD FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE EDGETHEREOF AND A THIRD FLANGE PROJECTING PERPENDICULARLY UPWARD THEREFROMIN SPACED PARALLEL RELATION TO SAID SECOND FLANGE; SAID SECOND AND THIRDFLANGE DEFINING THEREBETWEEN A RECESS WHICH RECEIVES AND RETAINS AN EDGEOF ONE OF SAID DISPLAY FACES; SAID FIRST FLANGE BEING JUXTAPOSED TO ANDREMOVABLY SECURED TO THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID FLANGE MEANS; SAID CORNERBRACKET MEANS EACH INCLUDING A PAIR OF PERPENDICULARLY INTERCONNECTEDLEGS, EACH OF WHICH HAS A WIDTH SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE DISTANCEBETWEEN SAID FLANGE MEANS AND A HEIGHT SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THEDISTANCE BETWEEN SAID WEBS AND SAID WEB PLATE; SAID CORNER BRACKET MEANSTHUS HAVIG ONE LEG THEREOF INSERTABLE IN ITS DEFINED SLOT IN ONE CHANNELMEMBER AND HAVING ITS OTHER LEG INSERTABLE IN ITS DEFINED SLOT IN THEANGULARLY DISPOSED CHANNEL MEMBER WHICH FORMS A CORNER WITH SAID ONECHANNEL MEMBER; ONE OF SAID CORNER BRACKET MEANS HAVING ITS LEGS THUSINSERTED AT EACH OF SAID CORNERS WHEREBY ALL OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS ARETHUS INTERCONNECTED AND ASSEMBLED INTO SAID POLYGONAL CONFIGURATION.